hello tweets,

i found this message about pesticide use that threatens the continued
existence of our own precious native bird species and thought that
you all might be interested.

regards,

Deborah Wisti-Peterson, PhD Candidate nyneve at u.washington.edu
Department of Zoology, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash, USA
Visit me on the web: http://students.washington.edu/~nyneve/
Life is better when you are reading a good book -- Author Tim Green



---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 26 Dec 2000 23:57:39 EST
Subject: Fwd: Pesticide Killing Birds

A pesticide used in Florida is killing thousands of birds from the Great
Lakes and East Coast of the United States and putting millions more at
risk. Fenthion is sprayed over two million acres in Florida each year
for mosquito control, with some areas doused every few days, year
round. It is toxic to birds at extremely low doses. In one instance,
fenthion killed 25,000 birds of 37 different species, with migratory
warblers and thrushes found dead in the greatest numbers. Dunlins,
western sandpipers, black skimmers, least terns, little blue herons, and
endangered piping plovers have also been found dead in areas where
fenthion has been sprayed. Millions of North American birds that rely
on Florida habitats to breed or spend the winter are at risk.

Within the next few months, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency will decide whether to allow the continued use of fenthion.
Please go to http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org to send a free message
urging EPA Administrator Carol Browner to prohibit its use.

The EPA has stated that some current applications of fenthion might
also endanger children, especially toddlers. And, fenthion can kill
aquatic species such as fish, shrimp, crabs, and amphibians. Most
often applied by helicopter, it remains in the air for long periods and
can drift and contaminate large areas. Birds ingest the pesticide
residues through food and water, absorb it through their skin, and
inhale it.

WWF is issuing this alert in collaboration with the American Bird
Conservancy, which is leading the campaign to end fenthion use.
Please act today.

Wayne Hsu